Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist supports the payroll function by analyzing payroll data, ensuring tax and regulatory compliance, and improving payroll processes and controls. This position will act as a key partner to Payroll, HR, Finance, and external vendors to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and efficiency through analysis, auditing, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Support payroll processing activities by reviewing payroll inputs, outputs, and controls
• Analyze payroll data to identify trends, variances, and cost drivers
• Prepare and maintain recurring and ad hoc payroll reports for Finance and HR
• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll reporting and close activities
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations
• Review tax filings, payments, and reconciliations prepared by vendors or internal teams
• Assist with multi-state payroll compliance and jurisdiction setup
• Support internal and external payroll audits and respond to audit requests
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and system efficiencies
• Document payroll procedures, workflows, and internal controls
• Support payroll system implementations, upgrades, and testing
• Drive automation and standardization initiatives to reduce errors and manual work
• Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, and IT to ensure accurate data flow

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred
• 3–5 years of payroll experience, preferably in a mid-sized or large organization
• Strong knowledge of payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements
• Experience reconciling payroll to the general ledger preferred
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas)
• Experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paychex, UKG, Ceridian), preferably Workday
• Familiarity with HRIS and accounting software integrations preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Continuous improvement mindset